Wallenda to Practice Tightrope Walk at Benderson Park

High-wire daredevil Nik Wallenda plans to put in some practice time at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota, in preparation for a walk over the Grand Canyon on June 23.

The details of Wallenda's practice schedule in Sarasota have not been announced yet.

MySuncoast.com is reporting that Wallenda was at the park, off Honore Avenue, this week to start developing the practice site. Although it's nothing like the Grand Canyon, the cable can be set between cranes to imitate the give and sway expected in the much riskier walk out West.

Wallenda told MySuncoast.com:

“We have to set it up near scale -- not exact scale -- but close to the amount of distance that I'll be facing, so that I can replicate the movement of the cable. The cable sort of takes a life of its own and moves back forth and up and down, and this will get me very comfortable leading up to it.”

Wallenda was honored Thursday with the Voice of Sarasota Award for helping the local economy.

In January, Wallenda walked over U.S. 41 and told Patch at the time:

"I truly love this city and anything I can do to shine an international spotlight and attract more visitors, I'm more than willing to do."

Tourism officials see Wallenda's practice at the park as a draw for visitors.

Related Nik Wallenda Coverage

• Wallenda Given 'Voice of Sarasota' Award
• Wallenda Wire Walk: Live Video Of Nik Wallenda Atop Sarasota
• Wallenda Walk Live: Wallenda Walks Wire 200 Feet Over Sarasota
• RAW VIDEO: Nik Wallenda's First Steps Across The Wire

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